Protect West High's American Sign Language Program

Sign Language is essential for students, parents and staff that are hard of hearing or deaf. It should not now, nor ever be removed from any form of education

ASL IS IMPORTANT

Reverend Cody Saul speaking here, and I think sign language should be taught in schools because it is a good language and it will help any kids planning on being future law enforcement to know the difference

ASL is the perfect second language for everyone to learn. There are so many practical uses!

I took ASL 1 last year and it was the most enjoyable class I had throughout the entire time I've been here at West. Learning the history behind Deaf culture was really thought provoking and now I get happy whenever any media I watch includes some kind of Deaf representation. The history of Deaf culture that the class teaches matters a lot, and completely cutting the course will prevent future students from being able to communicate with a whole group of individuals and even lock them from making future friends. The course advocates to go to local Deaf centers which is a great way to connect with new people. Cutting all of that and those possibilities is not what we need at West.

ASL should be taught in EVERY school in the US and Canada!

ASL is a fun and amazing language that I myself took as a hs student. I have used it thought my life many times and it has brought so much happiness to the deaf person I was able to communicate with. Please don’t take this unbelievably important language away from the students!!!

Yet one more educational program being cut. This is a vital program for our students that supports our community. My neighbors have 4 deaf children that live in our district boundaries. I have relatives that are deaf. These are members of our community. This is an important language skill for our students. I ask you to reconsider the plan to do away with this language option at West.

I am a west high school alumni and it’s would be very upsetting to remove the ASL classes. Learning different languages is a way to bring the community together and by getting rid of the class, you are doing the opposite.

Save ASL

Utah is so incredibly ignorant when it comes to accessibility in general- but ASL goes far beyond simply accessibility. It's a culturally rich language that has flown under the radar for too long. And the school system should be ashamed that Utah is nationally recognized for such incredible resources for the Deaf community, has multiple campuses for schools for the Deaf, and actively nurtures bilingual individuals for religious exploitation.... it just doesn't make sense to cut it. Do better.

American sign language should be taught at every school in this country

Removing ASL classes from high schools is removing the opportunity for deaf kids to be able to make friends and be able communicate if and when an interpreter is not available or present. This is a language that needs to be represented in schools

ASL is the language our deaf and hard of hearing community members rely on others to speak and communicate!!

Lori Poll is such a great teacher. Also ASL is an important tool.

I loved having ASL as a class in my high school and have used it even 10 years later and still do through many little different interactions I've had. I would hate to see another high school lose this opportunity

ASL is a very useful program, allowing students learn how to communicate more effectively with people who may not have the same abilities of them.

Learning ASL has completely changed my understanding of language as a whole. Studying ASL has helped me appreciate communication in ways that society desperately needs.

We need the availability of these courses to our students for society to function.

Coda and Educational interpreter here, ASL classes starts a bridge of communication and understanding of benefits of sign for many. We need more educated advocates!!!